Fallkniven PHK

I’m a big fan of Fällkniven products, in fact I can’t remember seeing one that I didn’t like. They are always designed primarily with function in mind, so you can always be sure that being able to do the job comes first. To that end, the Professional Hunter's Knife (PHK) looks to be one of the best fixed blade hunting knives from Fällkniven, combining functionality with safety and hygiene, yet still managing to look good too.

The blade is made from 3G stainless laminate powder steel, a triple layer of VG2 – SGPS – VG2 steels, effectively ‘sandwiching’ a harder edge holding but brittle steel, between too tough, resilient, yet ‘softer’ steels (having said that, many people would be quite happy with an all VG2 steel knife – it’s not that soft!) which give overall strength. 3G laminate steel is regarded as one of the best for the blade of a working knife, and it certainly takes and holds a good edge.

The blade design of the PHK falls somewhere between an upswept skinner and a drop point, giving a long slow belly (edge) with a short, almost residual ricasso. This is reminiscent of the old fashioned butcher/skinner knives that are still used in many abattoirs. This blade however has not got such a pronounced curve, and the tip falls just below the level of the spine, lining up exactly with the top edge of the handle. Nevertheless this guard to tip curving contour offers an extended edge on a relatively narrow blade, enabling long sweeping cuts, yet still with a usable tip to allow close control work and getting in tight where required. Made from substantial 0.25” steel stock, this blade thickness is held for almost the entire length of the un-swedged spine, only starting to taper in at 0.875” from the tip – as can be imagined, this should give a blade with immense strength.

The PHK is of full tang construction, and the one-piece handle is made from chequered, ergonomically shaped Thermorun to give a good grip in all weather conditions. The knife also features an octagonal highly polished, stainless steel guard and a lanyard attachment hole in the handle. A small section of the tang protrudes from the end of the handle, giving a small makeshift hammer.

The knife comes complete with a very well designed injection-moulded rigid Zytel scabbard. This features a friction grip that engages the knife’s guard when sheathes and a ridged thumb stud on the other side to aid withdrawal of the knife. A webbing belt loop and stud fastening safety tag is attached to the scabbard. There’s a slot at the bottom of the scabbard for drainage and a cross bar just below it to strengthen the scabbard, protect the tip of the knife and to give somewhere for extra webbing or a leg tie to be attached… these Swedes think of everything. 

This is an extremely well designed knife and is made from the very best materials. The advertising blurb asks (and answers) the question; “Is there a better hunting knife around? We don't think so.”  It would be a difficult claim to dispute, and it certainly ticks all the boxes for me, although ideally it would be a little smaller for general UK use, other than deerstalking – but ideal for the rest of Europe. The only thing that I’d change is the press stud on the sheath’s safety tab, which I’d remove and replace with Velcro. Highly recommended.

PRICE: £174.95